NUS president Megan Dunn told delegates that their voices were "too powerful" to be ignored during the upcoming referendum.

The EU is a force for "tolerance and respect", she told the conference, which will later debate claims that the NUS itself is institutionally racist.

NUS UK
NUS national president Megan Dunn delivered a speech to open the Brighton conference

A motion submitted to the conference's welfare zone states that a probe into racism within the union should be broadened to investigate claims of anti-Semitism.

Around 800 delegates and 300 observers from affiliated colleges and universities are attending the three-day conference in the Sussex seaside town.

Speeches opening the event from Dunn, the Trade Union Congress' Frances O'Grady and Stronger In campaigner June Sarpong all highlighted the benefits of the EU to Britain's students.

The student voice is too powerful to be ignored in this referendum
Megan Dunn, NUS president

Megan Dunn, NUS national president, said: "This is a forward-thinking city that looks out to the continent and is the perfect setting for this conference as we edge ever closer to the European Referendum.

"The student voice is too powerful to be ignored in this referendum.

"We travel, work, and study abroad to a greater degree than previous generations while politically we are involved in pushing for innovation in climate change, international development and global justice.

"The EU advances and protects the values that Britain’s young people believe in and is a force for tolerance and respect."

Jobs, growth and rights at work will be at stake.
Frances O'Grady, TUC general secretary